6 protesters were arrested after some threw tampons on the floor while the Nebraska legislature voted to restrict gender-affirming care and abortion

• Police in Nebraska said they arrested six protesters at the state capitol in Lincoln on Friday.
• The Nebraska state legislature passed the Let Them Grow Act, which is expected to become law.
• The bill bans gender-affirming surgery for minors and abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy.

Police arrested at least six protesters who were chanting and throwing what appeared to be bloody tampons from the balcony as Nebraska's legislature voted to ban gender-affirming care for minors and abortion after 12 weeks on Friday, KETV reported.

A press release from the Nebraska State Patrol said officers noticed the group on the balcony of the state legislature when the protesters started yelling around 2:40 pm.

Police said they arrested and charged a 24-year-old and a 36-year-old with obstructing a government operation and disturbing the peace. Police accused both of throwing feminine hygiene products onto the legislative floor, KETV reported.

As police were clearing the legislative balconies following the incident, officers arrested a 25-year-old they said was refusing to leave, and charged the individual with disturbing the peace and trespassing.

A 56-year-old was also charged with disobeying a lawful order for refusing to leave, police said. A 40-year-old was also accused of intentionally keeping the legislative sergeant at arms from opening one of the chamber doors, KETV reported, and police charged him with resisting arrest and trespassing.

As police were attempting to place the 40-year-old in custody, a 33-year-old tried to push past the officers and punched one of them in the chest, police said. The 33-year-old was charged with obstructing a peace officer.

—Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) May 20, 2023

The Nebraska State Patrol did not immediately return Insider's request for further comment on Saturday.

Nebraska passed Legislative Bill 574 on Friday, which limits abortion and gender-affirming health care. 

The bill, titled the Let Them Grow Act, bans any "gender-altering" surgeries for anyone under the age of 19 years old, gives the state's chief medical officer the sole ability to make rules regarding gender therapies, and bans abortions after 12 weeks.

The bill does provide exceptions for abortions after 12 weeks if they involve ectopic pregnancies, rape, incest, or medical emergencies.

Gov. Jim Pillen has said he supports the bill, and it'll become law after he signs it.